Exterior

The 2010 Mazda3's exterior styling builds on its predecessor's athletic proportions by emphasizing design features. One of them is the front grille, but Mazda may have gone a bit too far with it, as the gaping opening in the lower bumper looks like a sinister smile. It's a little much on the front of this car. The rest of the Mazda3 is stylish but much more toned down than the front, with smooth body panels. Adaptive xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights and LED taillights are optional.


Standard steel wheels measure 16 inches in diameter, and 17-inch alloy wheels are available. Other options include a moonroof and a rear spoiler.

    See also:

    Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems
    For optimum protection, the driver and passenger seat belts are equipped with pretensioner and load limiting systems. For both these systems to work properly you must wear the seat belt properly. ...

    Rocking the Vehicle]
    WARNING: Do not spin the wheels at more than 56 km/h (35 mph), and do not allow anyone to stand behind a wheel when pushing the vehicle: When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the wheels at high sp ...

    Manual Transaxle Operation
    Manual Transaxle Shift Pattern The shift pattern of the transaxle is conventional, as shown. Depress the clutch pedal all the way down while shifting; then release it slowly. A safety feature p ...